Authors like Tim Ferriss (The 4-Hour Workweek) and Chris Ducker (Virtual Freedom) talk wonderful things about working with overseas virtual assistants, and they’re not wrong. Virtual assistants can be a great asset for your business not only because they help you free up your schedule, but also because they leave you free time to focus on those high-value tasks that only you can do.
However, success with a virtual assistant is not automatic. As any skill it must be developed through practice. Many entrepreneurs or companies make mistakes when hiring their first virtual assistants (VAs), making it a bad experience for them and for the hired VA.
To find your rockstar VA you need to take into account some key tips that will make your work a little easier.
Don’t hire a VA Until You’re Ready
A common situation among entrepreneurs who start with a VA is that they’re not ready for hiring and the experience ends badly.
In order for the hiring to be successful you must know if you are really ready to delegate the right tasks. In addition, you should have time to train your VA into everything they need to know about your company and the tasks they will have to do.
We recommend you to start using an app to help you understand what daily tasks are taking away your time and energy. When you have enough items on that list, you’ll be ready to hire your first VA.
Create A Solid System First
An effective way to start with a virtual assistant is to have a consolidated work system, that is, a systematization to deliver and delegate tasks. Only in this way your virtual assistant will know what results do you expect from them.
For example, if you need your VA to edit videos for your posts on social media, create a video tutorial so they can know exactly how you want the job to be done. In this way if your VA leaves, you will have the system created so that the new person can learn quickly.
Hire Consciously
Any virtual assistant you hire will make mistakes. Not because they’re virtual, but because they’re human.
Keeping this in mind is very important. If you ever had to hire staff in the past you will know that less than 10% have the qualities you are looking for in an employee. Most will simply not suit you so, why expect a virtual assistant to be any different?
You have to know that the virtual assistant you hire can be one of the most important assets for the future of your business. You must handle the hiring of your assistant as if it were the hiring of a manager for your company. Why?
Simply because this the person will be the one releasing your time, which is worth much more than any other recruitment. Treat your virtual assistant role as if it were the most important role of your business, because it might just be.
A good virtual assistant can really change your life, can free your day so that you can focus on what really matters and take your business to whole other level. But before you hire your first virtual assistant consider that it is an important process, that should not be taken lightly and that you must be prepared for the whole process to work properly.
Be ready, be informed, create systems and hire the best.
If you are ready you hire a VA but are still unsure on what to delegate, download the guide 5 Ways You Can Use A Virtual Assistant To Improve Your Business.